3-on-3: Elbow issues

The commissioner has spoken. Ron Metta Artest World Peace will sit seven games for his transgressions against the bearded one. As soon as the ruling came down and spread around, there were the natural reactions — not enough, enough or just right.

From a Thunder perspective, it was going to be hard to satisfy the desire for justice. Anything outside of a lifetime ban wasn’t going to quench the anger some Thunder fans were feeling about Artest’s vicious elbow. But was the punishment at least in the ballpark?

1. Seven games: Enough, not enough or just right?

Royce Young, Daily Thunder: I expected 10. Ten would’ve put World Peace’s status for a second round matchup between OKC and the Lakers in question. Ten would’ve been stiff, would’ve been fair and would’ve gotten the point across that you don’t mess with a player’s head. Seven games is a big number, especially when you consider these are playoff games. But Artest is a repeat offender. This is his 10th suspension since 2003. Did you know: Carmelo Anthony got 15 games for his punch-and-run on Mardy Collins. Was MWP’s elbow not as bad as that? There was an opportunity for the league to send a real clear message, but instead, they went the fair route. I can’t gripe about seven, but it feels a little on the low end considering how malicious the elbow was.

Patrick James, Daily Thunder: Not enough for my tastes, but hard to argue with. When you realize that a seven-game suspension is one of the longest the NBA has had in years, and the longest ever for something that didn’t involve drugs or a punch, then it seems harsh enough. But if you combine MWP’s history with the current climate (justifiably) concerning concussions and a highly rated national television audience, a longer suspension wouldn’t have raised too many eyebrows, I don’t think. Anything up to 15 games, assuring MWP wouldn’t play against the Thunder in the playoffs, would have been fine. But seven still sends a message, especially when up to six of them could be playoff games.

Clark Matthews, The Lost Ogle: I would have been okay with a ban that started at a minimum of seven games that also required Metta to get some sort of psychiatric treatment. As it stands, it seems a little light.

2. Should the length Harden is out factor in to the length of World Peace’s suspension?

Young: Definitely not. I just don’t see how the result of Harden’s injury should potentially lessen the penalty Ron World Peace received. If Harden had been able to return in the second half, does that mean MWP should only get a game or two? If Harden never plays again, does that mean MWP is banned for life? I don’t think the outcome of the crime should influence the action. That elbow was vicious no matter how you slice it. The intent was disgusting. If Harden has a hard head and recovers quickly, that shouldn’t lessen the punishment.

James: Yes and no. The way the world works, at least here, is that the worse off a victim is, the harsher the penalty is. If you’re drunk at a bar and take a swing but miss, the cops probably only give you a ticket for public drunkenness. If you connect, you get a more serious citation. So it makes sense that Harden having to come out of the game, and miss at least once more, would mean the punishment should be more serious. But coming back to MWP’s history again, this is a case when the punishment should be severe just because of the intent. No matter what he says, Artest made the split-second decision to elbow Harden on his way up the court. That’s what the punishment should be for, not for connecting with the neck and head area.

Matthews: No. Even if Harden hadn’t missed any games, the horrendous nature of World Peace’s action deserved a strict penalty.

3. If Harden isn’t healthy for the opening round, will OKC advance?

Young: It’s a scenario that’s an unspoken thing right now among Thunder fans, but you can’t underestimate Harden’s importance. The Thunder quite simply aren’t as good a team without him. Remove the second or third best player off any playoff team and they’re going to have trouble. I think OKC could advance through the first round sans Harden, but it would be a challenge. If the Thunder draw the Mavs, it’ll probably be a challenge anyway, but without Harden, that’s a scary matchup.

James: Not against the Mavericks, but the Thunder would still be a solid bet against the Nuggets or Jazz. The potential of playing the Mavs already has me a little bit nervous for the Thunder, although I doubt the players are quaking in their boots. Sure, Dallas has had a tough go of it during the regular season and is not a threat to win the title again this year. But the Mavericks are a veteran team capable of making noise, and their confidence would go through the roof if they can grab a game in Oklahoma City to start the series. And they have Dirk Nowitzki. The Thunder will need to be at full strength to feel good about going up against Dallas.

Matthews: The Thunder can definitely make it through round one without Harden, but I’d rather not find out. If he missed more than that, though, I’m far more pessimistic.

I believe Stern set the 7 game suspension planning on a OKC/ LA matchup in the second round of the playoffs. Just in time for Artest's return. The viewer rating would probably be a record breaker at least for the first game.

I keep seeing all these weird stats on the scoring race. Isn't it pretty simple? Since KD is averaging exactly 28 points per game, that's kinda the magic line. Anything he scores over that adds to the 35 that Kobe would need to overtake him tomorrow night, and anything less than that would be subtracted from the 35. As in, if KD scores 30 tonight, that adds 2 points, thus Kobe would need 37 tomorrow. If KD scores 25 tonight, then that subtracts 3 points, thus Kobe would need 32 points. Correct? Seems pretty simple to me, unless my brain is farting.

George Karl yesterday morning was on the Dan Patrick radio show. He really seems like a genuine nice guy, always complimenting toward the city of Okc and the Thunder.

Karl was asked about MVP and said that KD should win especially considering what he is doing with such a young team at such a young age. Karl said that he thinks the youth of the Thunder now gets overlooked because they have become such a good team so fast.

@Skyline Coaches tend to see things a bit differently. Karl's coached enough players to know how rare KD being so good so young is, and like he said, the national media and television audience is over that already (and that's fair, in my opinion). KD's tailored to appeal to coaches.

1. If we win tonight, we secure the #3 overall seed, which means we'd have homecourt advantage over the Heat if we met them in the Finals. (I thought we already had this wrapped up, but not according to a Darnell tweet. Can someone clarify?)

2. Give ourselves a better chance to avoid the Mavs in round 1.

To me, those are both big deals. Big enough to make sure that KD plays the entire night and puts up a bunch of points. If we find ourselves in a close series with the Mavs or if we play the Heat in the Finals and they have homecourt, losing this game would be the reason why. To me, this is a must win. Not a throwaway game.

Here's a funny thought...What if Harden filed a VPO on MWP? They might not enforce it in LA but they would here. That would give him at least 1-2 more games "suspension" provided both teams advance. I don't know all the rules of a VPO, thankfully, but it would be hilarious if MWP was told he can't leave the locker room or he goes to jail.

How is everyone feeling about KD's chances at the scoring title? I would feel good if Durant went for 40 tonight, forcing Kobe to need close to 50 to catch KD. In that scenario I wouldnt be surprised if Kobe rested on Thursday knowing he will be playing more defense in round one since they are minus Mega Piece of Crap.

Given Artest pas behavior, I think 7 games is pretty light. What if next time he does it (and he will) he seriously injures somebody, or worse) I think his past behaviour should have weighed heavily into the equation. I'd would think 10 games minimum

The real question is whether or not the Thunder will be playing to win tonight against Denver. This team hasn't beaten a playoff team in the their last six attempts. Now is not the time to coast IMO. Now's the time to make a statement and build some confidence going into the playoffs. The Thunder can't feel good about last night's game considering the way the Kings scored at will while the starters were in the game. Tonight should be about three things: 1) Westbrooks getting his mojo back (when was his last good game against a quality opponent?) 2) D. Cook getting back into the rotation with a lot of minutes 3) KD's scoring title

You're spot on in regards to length and severity, Royce. If Harden turns his head...yeesh. That bow was meant to do damage and you can't have guys head hunting on the court like that and putting careers in jeopardy. Just an unconscionable move by MWP.

I'm a little annoyed at y'all worrying about Dallas so much. Have some f'in confidence in your team. This isn't the Dallas of last year. Tyson Chandler is not patrolling the paint. Deandre Stevenson is not available to guard Westbrook. Nowitzki is always scary, but he isn't playing at the same level as last year. The Thunder are a better team in every way, with home court advantage. Man up.